Christmas the busiest time for carriage rides

Friday

Dec 6, 2013 at 7:00 PMDec 6, 2013 at 7:16 PM

Eddie Mallisham didn't necessarily plan on opening Mallisham's Glass Slipper Carriage Tours with her husband, Benjamin Sr., but it came together 10 years ago and has been growing ever since."My answer would be because we bought a horse and then we bought a buggy and the next thing I knew, we were in business," Eddie Mallisham said about the decision to start a carriage-ride business.

By Ashley ChaffinStaff Writer | The Tuscaloosa News

Eddie Mallisham didn't necessarily plan on opening Mallisham's Glass Slipper Carriage Tours with her husband, Benjamin Sr., but it came together 10 years ago and has been growing ever since."My answer would be because we bought a horse and then we bought a buggy and the next thing I knew, we were in business," Eddie Mallisham said about the decision to start a carriage-ride business.Their first event was a wedding, followed by a parade and from there, she said, the business just sort of took off.Today, the husband and wife have four horses — three Belgian horses and one Percheron — and seven carriages. They do all types of events, from Tuscaloosa's Holidays on the River to weddings to church events."Any occasion where someone wants to use a horse and a carriage, we can try to make it fit," she said. "We've done Halloween parties, corporate events. We've just done a host of things."The Mallishams have been married for 42 years and have two sons, Benjamin Jr. and Christopher, who also take part in the family business. Benjamin Mallisham Sr. said he always thought he would have a business because he grew up around people in business."He has the ideas, I just go along and learn it as I go because I don't have that vision," Eddie Mallisham said. "Once he gets it started, I can help him coming up with what works and what doesn't work."When it comes to choosing the type of carriage for each event, the clients have their choice of the seven. The options range from a traditional wedding carriage to a princess carriage to a bigger wagonette for larger events.Choosing the horse, however, is up to the Mallishams. Eddie Mallisham said her husband knows which horse does the best in different situations."All of them are trained for that (being around people) but you take certain horses to certain events," Benjamin Mallisham said. "Budweiser and Dozier, you can just about take them around anything."He said the process of training each horse starts with teaching them how to lead and then exposing them to being around a lot of noise and people. Right now, three of their horses — Budweiser, Dozier and Blaze — are trained for events and their fourth can start training in March.On days they have events, Eddie Mallisham said prep starts early with feeding the animals, preparing the gear and making sure everything is ready to go. At events, safety becomes the top concern."It's hard work, although it looks easy," Eddie Mallisham said. "One of our number one priorities is safety in that people do not realize that a horse, although a gentle animal, you have to really be careful and be safe with it."She said the best part of working in carriage rides is the enthusiasm of the people and the look on the children's faces. Benjamin Mallisham Sr. said he really enjoys the horses.Prices for having a horse and carriage at events varies based on the type of event, Eddie Mallisham said. To find out more about hiring them, she said to call Mallisham's Glass Slipper Carriage Tours at 205-345-8496 or email her at mallishame@bellsouth.net.Eddie and Benjamin Sr. will be offering free carriage rides at Holidays on the River on Saturday, Dec. 21, and Tuesday, Dec. 24, as well as at Midtown Village on Friday, Dec. 13, and Friday, Dec. 20.